February 11, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Bathroom Progress

My good friend, Jessica, has been at my house this week stenciling my bathroom with the Otomi design I had purchased from Etsy last year. I had a vision in my head and it is so exciting to see it coming to fruition.

This is our main bathroom. Our house only has two. So, I wanted it to be fun and have a bit of a wow factor in the small space.

I started the renovation last year with a new countertop and sink. I had my sweet contractor who installed our baseboards, add legs to the vanity and build and paint the green mirror. Our painter painted the vanity gun metal grey for us. He also painted the yellowing walls white. If you missed those updates, you can see them here.

Before.

This is halfway finished. Isn’t it looking awesome?

Jessica has a business called Bella Wall Designs. I am so lucky to have such a talented friend. There is no way I could have done this on my own. And the only help I gave was to sit in my bathroom while she stenciled and I drank wine. I’m really good at that. Jess, I’m available for hire!

Seriously though, thank you Jessica! It is looking amazing! Jessica’s specialty is Italian plastering, so if my design is too out there for you, she is a girl with many skills. I have seen her other work and it is beautiful.

Here is my inspirational Otomi piece. I purchased it with my family in Puerta Vallarta two years ago. It usually rests behind my couch. On that trip I brought home four Otomi pieces. I love the beautiful embroidery and whimsical creatures.

I have a slight rug dilemma. Ideally I wanted a 3 X 5 rag rug with a feed bag design on it. Just one to two red stripes. No more. It turns out that doesn’t really exist. I might look into making one. But, after the tablecloth debacle, it might be years before we create another family heirloom.

In the meantime, do you think those two rugs will work in the space? Keep in mind, my vintage crewel wall embroidery is going back up soon. And some pieces have burlap in them. I like it. But it might be too busy. Although my whole house would be considered too busy for many. : ). The rugs were $11.99 each after a coupon at World Market. So the price is right, too.

Have you done anything fun in your home recently? I really love Brynne from The Gathered Home’s new Ikea desk revision.

Jessica finished the stenciling on Saturday evening while I was on a date. Is she awesome or what? Here is a sneak peak at the finished project. I still have to layer it with my embroidered pieces and a towel or two.

I am beyond in love. It is like she pulled a dream from my head and brought it into reality. Thank you Jessica!

* Since this post was written, I have completed the project. To see the finished project, click here.

Also, I shared this on Savvy Southern Style!

And My Romantic Home.

December 30, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Keepin’ It Real December

December is almost over! It was a whirlwind of activity, procrastination and happiness. I am sad to see it end.

Today is my mom’s birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!

On to the realness:

A piece of lint on my kitchen floor. I think the signs are pointing towards wanting me to go somewhere. Hmmm. But where?

Pajama Party excerpt:

One of my sweet friends insisted on doing some of my dishes by hand. She handed me the wet dish to dry. I have a confession. I hardly ever (and I mean hardly ever) hand wash my dishes. I actually love to do dishes. Load them into the dishwasher. Put them away. I do it at least once a day. But every item goes into the dishwasher. I couldn’t live without it.

So, I dried them with a paper towel. I almost peed my pants laughing when she told me I was supposed to use a dish towel.

She thought I must not have any dish towels. Then I had to show her I had a collection.

She asked me what I use them for. And I said, “to dry my hands.” What a concept: dish towels be used for dishes. I will have to remember that next year when I hand wash a dish again.

It reminded me of the time I was newly married and my mother-in-law came to my house and was shocked to see me cleaning absolutely everything with just Windex.

Housekeeping has never been my strong suit.

Good thing I chose to be a housewife.

I made chocolate bowls for ice cream one night. How do you think I did?

Outfit outtakes.

My dresser in December. Now my whole bedroom looks like this. It was a casualty of Christmas. I hope it can be revived.

Look at what my mom and stepdad gifted me for Christmas on Saturday (we celebrated late with them). It is a necklace I have been wanting for over a year. It is from Knit Knit on Etsy. It is a hand embroidered fox wearing a bow tie!

Thank you guys! I love it!

How was your December? Are you ready for 2014? Or do you feel like I do above (and, yes, that is a giant pimple.)?

October 12, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Overalls?

I will admit it. This is my very first pair of overalls. Well, maybe I had a pair when I was four or five, but I have long since forgotten. When I was pregnant with both of my children, I longed to be the pregnant girl in overalls. Alas, I am not one of those girls that is cute whilst pregnant (and, no, I am not pregnant. That would be impossible, just so ya know). And so I skipped over them. Never bought them, but enviously stared at those who did.

I started seeing them pop up again. And I started stewing. Then I saw that picture on the Pottery Barn Teen catalog and my interest grew. The final straw was when Free People offered a distressed corduroy pair in the gold color.

I was sold…Or they were sold…To me. Somethin’ like that.

I have been trying to put together different tops with the overalls. I pretty much want to wear them all of the time. Here is what I created:

This is my favorite look. It is a Free People lace shirt I purchased from Nordstrom Rack in the spring. I like it with H & M’s lace flats. The necklace is care of Simply Livly on Etsy.

I paired it with a denim jacket. I definitely look rustic here.

And a Free People cardigan.

I tried the overalls with Anthropologie’s Daydrifter Tee.

I also paired it with a striped long sleeve layering top from H & M. I believe this was $14.

And went full on country farm girl with a Johnny Was flannel shirt and vintage boots. The turquoise necklace is from Simply Livly on Etsy.

This sweater was purchased last winter at Forever 21. I think it was $15. I have a mad crush on it.

I bought this top with my mother-in-law during my Nordstrom Rack birthday spree. It is made by Free People. I could never find it on their site. And I did look. The color is my favorite paired with mustard. The earrings are from Anthropologie many years ago.

And because I could not help myself. And because he wanted a ride. And maybe because I am more than a tad bit crazy…I put a little gnome in my overalls. My husband refused to go out with me like this. The wee little fellow was sad. ; )

So, what do you think of the overall trend? And would you have gone shopping with me and my little gnome friend (he was made by the lovely Moongoat on Etsy

* I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

September 6, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

In The Sweltering Heat

What have you been wearing during this heat wave in the United States this week? Me, I have opted for long sleeves and jeans. I think I am in denial. I have also been breaking out my boots. I think it is because I am too cheap to go get a pedicure. This is what I have pulled together last week:

I adore this dress. It was a purchase I made in the spring. I originally blogged about it here. I wanted to pair it this time with my hair up and a turquoise necklace. The dress had been sold out for months, but they just reissued it. It is Free People’s First Kiss Maxi. The turquoise necklace is from Simply Livly on Etsy.

This was another purchase at the beginning of the year. My At Sea Mini Dress by Tracy Reese via Anthropologie. This is one of my favorites that I turn to again and again. The necklace is from Anthropologie. I believe it is sold out. But I am giving two necklaces away for my giveaway starting September 10th!

Gosh, how boring am I with my hair lately? I just have wanted it off of my neck. This little hair style does the trick. I consider this outfit my “free” outfit, as it was purchased entirely with gift cards and birthday money. The chambray top is Anthropologie’s Day Drifter Tee. Heather of The Peacock Fairy found hers for a fraction of the cost at TJ Maxx. The skirt is Anthropologie’s Waverly Skirt. The necklace is the same as above. The belt is Calvin Klein via Nordstrom Rack.

I purchased this Nora Peplum Top from Anthropologie and have worn it two times this week. It is my favorite throw on with jeans. The jeans were a sale purchase from Anthropologie. They are Mothers Brand (my new favorite) and they were $40 marked down from $198.
Again, the necklace is the same as above. Can you tell I like it? And the boots are vintage from the flea market.

So, have you been in denial like me? Sweating in the heat? Or have you opted for a more sensible choice? Please tell!

P.S. I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

etsy

Bathroom Progress

Keepin’ It Real December

Overalls?

In The Sweltering Heat